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Court Nixes Cross Breeds In Pit Bull Ruling

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - MARCH 11: A man holds a Staffordshire Bull Terrier on his shoulder during the fourth and final day of Crufts at the Birmingham NEC Arena on March 11, 2012 in Birmingham, England. During the annual four-day competition nearly 22,000 dogs and their owners will compete for a variety of accolades, ultimately seeking the coveted title of 'Best In Show'. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

The Maryland Court of Appeals made the change on Tuesday in response to a request for reconsideration.

The court’s decision still holds owners and landlords liable for pit bull bites. Plaintiffs in civil lawsuits won’t have to prove the animal’s prior violent behavior for the owner or a landlord to be liable for damages.

However, the opinion written by Judge Alan Wilner concedes that the initial ruling went too far by including cross-breeds.

The judge writes that the definition of cross-breed is unclear. He notes it’s uncertain whether a cross-bred pit bull is limited to the offspring of two pure-bred dogs of different breed or includes succeeding generations bred from cross-bred parents.

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